×

Religion news | Youngstown Diocese offers White Mass

WHITE MASS: The Diocese of Youngstown will host the 25th annual White Mass for all health care professionals 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St.

Bishop David Bonnar will be the principle celebrant for the Mass, which celebrates all health professionals, including mental health workers, and recognizes the ministry of all those in the healing professions.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, participants in the White Mass need to RSVP by calling 330-744-8451 Ext. 272 to ensure sufficient space with social distancing. Also, the White Mass will be live-

streamed through the Diocese of Youngstown’s website at

www.doy.org and look for “Cathedral Livestreaming” on the “Media” dropdown menu. For information, call 330-744-8451, ext. 272.

CONSECRATED LIFE: World Day for Consecrated Life will be observed 10:30 a.m. Sunday with Mass at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., Youngstown. The Universal Church has been celebrating this event to honor nuns and priests since 1997. Youth and young adults can interact with religious and consecrated persons in the cathedral after Mass.

WORSHIP RESUMES: Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, will resume in-person worship 9:30 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Lizzie Weed leading the worship. All COVID-19 protocols will be followed. The service will continue to be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page at 9:30 a.m.

ASH WEDNESDAY: Grace United Methodist Church, 1725 Drexel Ave. NW, Warren, will host an Ash Wednesday service 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Lenten bags will be distributed to those who attend the service. Those who cannot attend can pick up bags during church office hours.

BIBLICALLY SHAPED PRAYER: Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will offer a virtual series via Zoom with Ardath Blake, titled “Biblically Shaped Prayer.” The virtual opportunity will take place 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays to March 2 except Feb. 9. The sessions are reflections on Prayer as Access to Reality in “No Irrelevant Jesus” by Gerhard Lohfink and articles in “Prayer in the Catholic Tradition” edited by Robert Wicks.

Upcoming sessions include: Feb. 16, “What does the Gospel of Mark tell us about prayer?”; Feb 23, “What does the Gospel of Matthew tell us about prayer?”; and March 2, “What do the Gospels of Luke and John tell us about prayer?”

Cost is $25 for entire series, or $5 for individual sessions. The link to the Zoom meeting will be sent the day before the session. Program information is available at www.vmesc.org or 724-964-8886.

ASHES AND PRAYER: Lordstown Lutheran Church, 5615 Palmyra Road, will host a drive-in ash distribution event noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 17. Guests will receive ashes and prayers to mark the beginning of their spiritual journey through the Lenten season in the Christian church. They may choose the customary ashes marked on their forehead using no touch COVID-19 recommendations or they may choose a commemorative ash cloth. Personal prayers for healing also will be offered.

Glory Way Quartet

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: General Assembly Church of God, 2021 E. River Road, Newton Falls, will have a program with Glory Way Quartet at 11 a.m. Feb. 21.

ISRAEL VIRTUAL TOUR: The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown is offering a virtual “Tour of Israel” 11 a.m. Feb. 14 with tour guide Itamar Ben-David .

In “Caesarea: Rome, the West, and the Jews” participants will virtually visit King Herod’s opulent port city of Caesarea and learn about the political and cultural invasion of Judea and the clash of civilizations between Romans and the Jews.

Since his release from the Israel Defense Forces in 2008 after five years of service, Ben-David has led various groups from Israel and overseas. Over the years he has guided celebrities, politicians and diplomats, businessmen, university groups and others.

Use Zoom Meeting ID: 690 681 8290 to join the tour. For information, visit jccyoungstown.org.

FELLOWSHIP OF ATHLETES: The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Steel Valley has announced a couple of changes. Don James will become the new Steel Valley director. James has been involved in FCA for almost two years and has been the Trumbull County representative for the last 10 years. He brings over 30 years of management experience.

Martin Dunham previously served in the role and decided to be an FCA representative working in Mahoning County, including Youngstown State University. Bob Kimpel will continue to handle Columbiana, Jefferson, and part of Mahoning County. James will continue to cover Trumbull County until a representative is hired.

Visit neohiofca.org/steel-valley-area or contact James at djames@fca.org.

CHURCH HOSTS EVENT: First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren, will host the annual chili cook-off as a drive-thru event 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14. A free will offering will be accepted for samples of chili, crackers and a Valentine treat. Call the church office by Tuesday to make reservations. If interested in making chili for the cookoff, contact the church office by Monday at 330-393-1524.

ONLINE PROGRAMS: As adults may be spending more time indoors during this winter, the Office of Religious Education of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown offers new online opportunities for adults seeking to learn more or deepen their understanding of topics in faith and Catholic Church practice. Online winter courses include “Finding Peace and Letting Go of Stress,” led by Nicky Uerling; “Elementary Catechesis,” led by Marcy Fessler; and “Sacred Fire,” led by Maureen Hall. Other courses include “Practice Makes Catholic,” “Toward the Sunrise,” “Practicing and Teaching the Beatitudes” and “The Heart of Welcome.” During Lent, lifelong learners also can explore seasonally based scripture courses.

Different courses vary in the number of weeks. Course fees vary depending on costs of materials and length of time. Course dates and descriptions are found by going to go to the https://catechistcafe.weebly.com under “For Catechists/Catechist Courses.”

Call 330-744-8451 ext. 302, or email jlawson@youngstowndiocese.org.

DIALOGUE OFFERED: Jewish-Christian dialogue will be 7 p.m. Feb. 17 with the second part of “Jews, Rome and Early Christianty,” part of a six-week series on Jewish history. Visit Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82790186634 with meeting ID 82790186634 and passcode 626169.

MEN’S RENEWAL: St. Joseph Parish in Mantua is holding its annual Men’s Renewal Feb. 20 and 21 on the parish grounds, 11045 St. Joseph Blvd., Mantua. The Men’s Renewal is a free, two-day gathering of Christian men (Catholic and non-Catholic) coming together in faith to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and other Christian men.

The weekend will begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 20 and conclude with Mass on the afternoon of Feb. 21. Participants can expect time for prayer, reflection, fellowship and food.

For more information, call Scott 440-313-2451 or Matt 330-507-8467 or e-mail MenOfStJosephMantua@gmail.com. Register online at: https://bit.ly/2021SJMensrenewal. More information can be found at www.stjosephmantua.com under Ministries & Organizations.

YOUTH ONLINE CLASSES: The Diocese of Youngstown’s Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry invites adults who work with middle school, high school and college-aged youth, whether in a parish, school, or organizational setting, to take advantage of the online classes offered this winter. Based on the National Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministry Youth Ministry Specialization, this Youth Ministry Online Training program consists of eight modules that will provide tools for dynamic and meaningful ministries with young people. Students may take as many or as few modules as desired.

Module 2A “Fundamentals of Evangelization and Catechesis with Adolescents”will run through Feb. 14, followed with Module 2B “Forming a Consequential Faith in Adolescents” through March 22.

Registration at https://youngstown

oyyam.weebly.com/ymot–youth-min

istry-online-training.html or call 330-744-8451, ext. 280.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: High school juniors or seniors active in their parish and / or diocesan Catholic school who are role models of Christian leadership can be nominated for the 23rd annual Eagle of the Cross awards.

The nominees must be practicing Roman Catholics and exemplify the qualities of moral integrity, prayerful / spiritual life, personal outreach to church and community, contribution to parish and / or school programs and Christian leadership. Involvement in diocesan programs also will be considered.

Nominations must be postmarked by Wednesday or delivered to the diocese no later than 3 p.m. on Friday. The nomination form can be downloaded from the office website at: http://youngstownoyyam.weebly.com/eagle-of-cross-awards.html.

The Eagle of the Cross award is the highest honor the Diocese of Youngstown presents to youth who show particular zeal for the improvement of their parish youth ministry program, high school ministry teams or other ministries.

Due to COVID-19 and safety protocols, a plan for conferring the awards will be announced in the spring.

For information, contact Cindee Case by email, ccase@youngstowndiocese.org, or phone, 330-744-8451, Ext. 280.

PROTECTING CHILDREN: Bishop David Bonnar has promulgated the Safe Environment Policy for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, effective immediately. This policy replaces the 2008 Child Protection Policy while incorporating the vast majority of its policies and procedures. Significant additions include an explicit reference to vulnerable adults, a specific section relating to social media and electronic communication and updated resources for those seeking to report misconduct or abuse.

The Diocese of Youngstown first promulgated the Child Abuse Policy in 1994. In 1999, the policy was revised and renamed the Child Protection Policy. With the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms for Diocesan / Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons,” written by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved by the Vatican in 2002, the diocesan policy was revised in 2003 to include the provisions of those documents.

The Charter was again revised in 2018 by the USCCB, and these revisions are included in the new policy.

To report abuse or suspected abuse, contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator by phone, 330-718-1388, or by mail at: Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Attn. Victim Assistance Coordinator, 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today